Session 6.1 : Four players bidding -
The 1NT overcall

Session Program

Start the session with asking the pupils to remind you the conditions of strength and distribution needed for a 1NT opening

Up to now, the pupils have bid their contract with the opponents remaining silent.
They are going to find out that they also have the right to bid at their turn provided that their bid is sufficient. This session is going to show them that they can themselves bid and play a contract by naming their strength in spite of the opponents’ opening.

Four players bidding mechanism

Definition of an overcall:

The overcall is the first bid of the side that didn’t open

The four players bidding mechanisme:

Bridge rules say that each player should bid in turn. He then has the choice between Pass and a sufficient bid.

Reminder: Suits are ranked in the following increasing order : ⇒ ⇒ ⇒ ⇒ NT
A bid will be said to be "sufficient" if it is done at the same level in a "higher" suit that is higher in the hierarchy than the previous one, or at any higher level in any other suit.

Example:

South

West

North

East

1

Pass

2

?

East can bid 2 or 2NT. If he wants to bid in Clubs or Diamonds, he should bid at least at a 3-level.

Contract is reached when the last bid is followed by three "Pass".

Note: Using a single bidding box for one table takes away the possibility of producing an insuffiscient bid.

Playing in No Trump after the opponents have opened

A 1NT overcall should satisfy to the same criteria as 1NT opening.

Partner’s responses on a 1NT overcall

He doesn’t take into account the opponents’ opening and responds as on a 1NT opening

Opener’s partner behavior

A No Trump overcall doesn’t change the definition of the different supports of the opening.

If the opponent should later play the contract, it will generally be a good thing to lead in the partner’s suit.

For the time being, you should not speak of the notion of stopper. The proposed hands will always have at least one stopper. It will be enough to have them play the hands while taking into account the opponent’s opening. The objective is here essentially to have the side with the greatest number of points play the contract. But you don’t always winů

Signalling principles

Card to be played in third position (the smallest equivalent card…)
Attitude signal playing or discarding a high card.

Session second hand (6.1.2)

Hand 6.1.2 Dealer East

8 7 4 9 8 2 8 5 2 Q J 9 3

Q 10 6 5 2 5 4 J 10 7 4 K 5

N

K 9 3 Q J 7 6 3 A 6 A 6 2

W

E

S

A J A K 10 K Q 9 3 10 8 7 4

South

West

North

East

1

1NT

Pass

Pass

Pass

Lead: 5
Bidding: bidding a 1NT overcall
Declarer: establishing the Club honors.
Defence: On the opening lead, East plays the Jack of Hearts. West should deduce that South owns A K 10 of Hearts and try something else. The contract will go down if he returns a small Spade when he gets the lead with a Club.
Score:
1NT -1 : 50 EW

Playing a suit contract after a 1NT opening

On a 1NT opening, the overcaller’s partner can impose a suit contract if he owns at least six cards in a major.

Examples :

South

South

West

North

East

8 5 K Q 7 6 5 3 A 7 10 7 4

Pass 4

1

1 NT

Pass

South

South

West

North

East

Q 8 7 6 3 2 6 5 J 9 5 47

Pass 2

1

1 NT

Pass

Session third hand (6.1.3)

Signalling for ruffing by following with a high card

Hand 6.1.3 Dealer South

A K Q J 3 Q 7 5 2 A J 8 3

Q 10 8 A K 7 6 4 A 10 3 Q 10

N

7 2 9 2 9 8 6 K 9 7 5 4 2

W

E

S

J 9 6 5 4 3 10 8 5 K J 4 6

South

West

North

East

Pass

1

1NT

Pass

2

Pass

Pass

Pass

Lead: A
On the lead of the Ace of Hearts, East should signal interest by following with the 9. He will then be able to ruff the third Heart to limit the declarer to eight tricks.
Score:
2 = : 110 NS

Session fourth hand (6.1.4)

Signalling interest in a suit by discarding a high card

Hand 6.1.4 Dealer West

J 8 7 Q 4 K J 10 8 3 Q 5 2

10 9 6 5 7 9 4 K 9 7 6 4 3

N

3 2 K J 10 8 5 3 A 6 2 A 10

W

E

S

A K Q 4 A 9 6 2 Q 7 5 J 8

South

West

North

East

Pass

Pass

1

1NT

Pass

3NT

Pass

Pass

Pass

Lead: 7
Defence: Card to be played in third position
West should signal interest with the 9 of Clubs on the second round of Hearts.
Defence should set the contract with two Heart tricks, the Ace of Diamonds and the Ace-King of Clubs.
Score:
3NT -1 : 50 EW